HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2453

BYRepresentatives Nelson, Betrozoff, Peery, Wood, Cole, Rayburn, Phillips, Walker, G. Fisher, Jacobsen, Valle, Rasmussen, Anderson, Todd, Brekke, Appelwick, Leonard, Spanel, Wineberry, K. Wilson, Pruitt, Brumsickle, Winsley, Dellwo, May and Ferguson

Creating the parental involvement grant program.

House Committe on Education

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (18)

      Signed by Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Cole, Dorn, Fuhrman, Holland, Horn, Jones, P. King, Pruitt, Rasmussen, Rayburn, Schoon, Valle, Walker and K. Wilson.

House Staff:Bob Butts (786-7841)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION JANUARY 31, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Research has shown that parents play a vital role in the education of their children, both before and after the child begins attending school.  Students are more likely to be successful in school and society when their parents actively participate in their child's education.

The Legislature has created several programs to enhance parental involvement in education, such as Project Even Start (which focuses on improving literacy of parents) and requirements that school districts encourage parental involvement in school classes and activities. In addition, some school districts and non-profit organizations have specific programs that strive to increase parental involvement.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A Parental Involvement in Education grant program is established in the office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Grants shall be distributed to school districts to fund programs designed to improve the academic success of at-risk children and to reduce the state's drop-out rate by getting parents more involved in their children's education.  The programs must:  be a collaborative effort of parents, schools, community service organizations, and social service providers; emphasize families with low incomes, minimal or no English skills, and single parents; have a 25 percent local match; and have an evaluation component. Programs may be conducted by school districts or contracted to nonprofit organizations.

The act expires on June 30, 1995.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute adds a local funding match requirement; expands what the grants may be used for; and places a greater emphasis on families with low incomes, minimal English skills and single parents.  An appropriation of $100,000 is deleted, and implementation of the grant program is made subject to an appropriation in the budget.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 10, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Dick Nelson and Mary Louise Alving, Citizens Education Center Northwest.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Programs are needed to bring parents into the school system, and to train parents in how to help their children succeed in school. This is especially true for parents who did not excel in school who may feel intimidated by the school system.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.